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Governor Newsom said he'll give more details about a plan to relax rules throughout the state on Wednesday.

Author: CBS News 8 Team, Associated Press

Published: 11:10 AM PDT April 21, 2020

Updated: 1:06 PM PDT April 21, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom provided his daily update on COVID-19 in California Tuesday and launched the "Californians For All" volunteer corps website to match Californians with safe volunteer opportunities so they can support their communities.

During these difficult times, Newsom said Californians can come together to help each other by joining the movement at californiansforall.ca.gov.

"This new website is dedicated to people's spirit of contribution to help others from donating blood to volunteering at a food bank. We're trying to organize a site that’s more robust for a two-way conversation to stay engaged with you – from our zoomers to our boomers," Newsom said.

On Monday, hundreds of protesters lobbying to ease Newsom’s tight stay-at-home orders rallied around the California Capitol as Newsom outlined how he has approved some counties’ gradual relaxing of some restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Newsom said he approved a plan by Ventura County to reopen golf courses and parks. That prompted the top health official in neighboring Los Angeles County to implore residents not to flood those locations as warmer temperatures arrive this week. Newsom said he'll give more details about a plan to relax rules throughout the state on Wednesday.

California Assembly members want more details from Newsom about how he is spending money to fight the coronavirus. Lawmakers thanked Newsom on Monday for his leadership during an unprecedented health emergency but said the legislature should now return to exercising more oversight over the state's spending.

Assembly members from both parties wanted more details on a $1 billion contract to buy 200 million masks from a Chinese company. State officials said revealing details of the contract right now would “jeopardize” the deal. They also defended Newsom spending money on social safety net programs while legislators said they wanted more say.

Click here to watch "Facts Not Fear," a News 8 Special on coronavirus from March 26, 2020.

BACKGROUND

According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.

The California Department of Public Health has issued guidanceon the use of cloth face coverings to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The County of San Diego has made face coverings mandatory for those working with the public including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar businesses.

While officials say these face coverings are not a substitute for practices like social distancing and handwashing, there is evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission. Officials do not recommend the public use N-95 or surgical masks which are needed by health care workers and first responders.